Why Does Math Work If It's Not Real?

Why Does Math Work If It's Not Real? by Dragan Radulovic

According to G. H. Hardy, the 'real' mathematics of the greats like Fermat and Euler is 'useless,' and thus the work of mathematicians should not be judged on its applicability to real-world problems. Yet, mysteriously, much of mathematics used in modern science and technology was derived from this 'useless' mathematics. Mobile phone technology is based on trig functions, which were invented centuries ago. Newton observed that the Earth's orbit is an ellipse, a curve discovered by ancient Greeks in their futile attempt to double the cube. It is like some magic hand had guided the ancient mathematicians so their formulas were perfectly fitted for the sophisticated technology of today. Using anecdotes and witty storytelling, this book explores that mystery. Through a series of fascinating stories of mathematical effectiveness, including Planck's discovery of quanta, mathematically curious readers will get a sense of how mathematicians develop their concepts.

Dragan Radulović is a theoretical mathematician who also publishes in the area of molecular biology. He is an ardent traveler and adventurist. His previous book, On the Road Again – 2018, is about his road trip through Iran and Afghanistan. After stints at Princeton University and Yale University, he moved to South Florida, where he surfs, writes, and does mathematics.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781009054812
ISBN 10	1009054813
Title	Why Does Math Work If It's Not Real?
Author	Dragan Radulovic
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Cambridge University Press
Year published	2023-06-08
Number of pages	200
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable